The Adelaide Critics Circle represents the united force of the city's performing and visual arts critics.

Adelaide critics – the Scribblers in the Dark - are a rare breed, uniquely skilled in their art through their exposure to the city's long history as home to famous arts festivals, and the extraordinary creativity of the arts and artists in the state of South Australia.

The critics, from mainstream and alternative media, meet regularly to nominate outstanding work and, at year’s end, to vote for the winners of their cash and trophy awards - the ACColades.

Since its inception in 1996, at the instigation of Festival Artistic Director Robyn Archer, the ACC has been graced by Government sponsorship which both consolidates its objectivity and indicates the Government's support for local awards and the professional kudos they bestow.